Former Dance Teacher Jailed For Sex Offences

A former dance teacher from Bordon has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of child sexual offences against two young girls.

25-year-old Thomas Cox from Bordon committed the offences on the girls aged 11 to 16 over a six year period between 2009 and 2015.

In addition to the seven year sentence, Cox was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order

Investigating officer, Detective Constable David Jones said: “Thomas Cox is clearly a disturbed individual who used affection to gain the girls’ trust and then turned to emotional blackmail to try and ensure they didn’t tell anyone what was going on.

“He also displayed predatory behaviour by becoming upset and withdrawn when he did not get what he wanted.

“As soon as the victims in this case came forward, we took swift action to ensure that Cox didn’t present any further ongoing risks, including seizing his phone. Our priority was to safeguard the victims and to identify anyone else who may have been targeted.”

“Mr Cox denied his guilt throughout the investigation which meant that the victims were made to stand in court and be questioned about what had happened to them in front of a jury and members of the public. Young girls in the community are now safer as a direct result of the strength and determination they showed in bringing Cox to justice. “

DC Jones continued: “I want to pay tribute to all the young women whose bravery in coming forward and giving evidence has ensured that Cox is now in prison where he belongs.”

He added: “We want to put more offenders like him behind bars- but we need people to come forward. We will always listen and take your allegations seriously.”